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Joe Guzzo, owner of nine McDonald’s locations.

Photo courtesy Scott Jenson

1967 original McDonald’s, No 3 Road.

Photo courtesy McDonald’s Canada

Canada’s first McDonald’s Restaurant

By Joe Leary

Published 11:47 PST, Fri February 28, 2025

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1967 was an historic year across our True North Strong and Free.

It was Canada’s Centennial, marking 100 years since Confederation and Montreal played host to the world with the International and Universal Exposition known as ‘Expo 67’.

In sports, the Toronto Maple Leafs won their 13th Stanley Cup—the last thus far—and in the world of fast food, McDonald’s took a bold leap and expanded beyond its US borders, launching their first Canadian location.

With a growing chain of restaurants already scattered across the United States, founder Ray Kroc wanted to develop his hamburger brand internationally.

He decided that the most logical starting growth point would be Canada. And on June 1, 1967, the Golden Arches on No. 3 Road were open to the Canadian public.

One might ask: why Richmond for the pivotal first location outside of the US?

Dave Doroghy can supply that answer.

An advertising executive for DDB (Palmer Jarvis) in the eighties—he directed the McDonald’s Western Canada account for a number of years and recalled from experience as noted in his book, 111 Places in Vancouver That You Must Not Miss.

“McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc was looking for three things when he ventured outside of the USA, with his newly minted fast-food concept,” says Doroghy.

“First of all, he wanted a place where land was cheap to build on.

“Secondly, Kroc envisioned an area, or subdivision that was rapidly growing and more importantly, growing with families; as young, busy families in the suburbs were what he knew—from experience—that his restaurants would succeed.

“And the final point I find most interesting,” he noted.

“Kroc knew that for him to launch the foreign venture, he would have to be hands-on for the planning, set-up, start-up and roll-out”.

As such, it would require numerous trips north to oversee the first location outside of the US and Kroc wanted his time to be well-managed.

“He insisted it be near an airport to make it easier for him”, adds Doroghy.

Richmond made sense on every level.

Not surprisingly, Ray Kroc had an immediate hit on his hands as folks from far and wide welcomed McDonald’s to Richmond, way back then.

Locals eagerly flocked to this flourishing food empire from all corners of the Lower Mainland with appetites, curious to sample the restaurant’s legendary fare, such as the Big Mac (listed at $.65), alongside $.26 French Fries and Apple Pies in 1967 pricing.

58 years later, the original No. 3 Road location has undergone considerable renovations and even a geographical repositioning.

But the store remains a tribute to McDonald’s rich legacy as being, not only Canada’s first, but their first international location.

Joe Guzzo is the franchise owner of this iconic location.

As a longtime McDonald’s employee, the Burnaby-raised—son of immigrants—worked his way up the ‘Golden Arches’ corporate ladder over the years.

Starting in 1975 as a crew member—earning $2.05 per hour—Guzzo brought an unbridled enthusiasm for the business that remains evident to this day.

“I never really left McDonald’s.” he says.

“I stuck around and started growing through the company full-time as a crew chief and swing manager”.

It was suggested that Guzzo was management material.

His answer: “Why not”?

Guzzo’s goal was to advance as high as he could on the corporate side; perhaps even aspire to become president of McDonald’s Canada.

“Along the way I saw some of my friends become franchisees and I thought that was pretty good because you have more control of your time, the corporate world is more hectic”.

Coincidentally, Guzzo’s first franchise purchase was Canada’s number two location on Marine Drive at Manitoba Street.

That was 2009.

In 2014, Guzzo purchased the original Canadian flagship on Number 3 Road.

His McDonald’s portfolio today boasts of nine locations and the affable owner still emits a passion and fondness for the company, reminiscent of that teenage crew member in Burnaby.

Spending six days a week tending to his numerous stores, Guzzo still delights in talking McDonald’s with customers and crew alike.

“McDonald’s is a great company to work for and for franchisees,” he adds.

“They really protect the brand.”

If you have not checked out this little piece of Canadian history, check it out at 7120 No. 3 Road.